Fire Extinguishers

[Montana Man]

Just a reminder to check the charge and dates on our fire extinguishers. I'm guilty as anyone for walking by it so often I don't even know its there.

[DQDick]

Doesn't hurt to add more also. We have three of the kind you can spray on yourself or the fire in the bedroom and an extra in the kitchen.

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by DQDick

Doesn't hurt to add more also. We have three of the kind you can spray on yourself or the fire in the bedroom and an extra in the kitchen.

^^^x2. The tiny extinguishers that come in the RV aren't adequate to put out much more than a match IMO . Bought 2 larger ones (2.5lb. w/brackets) to go in the RV - on in the entry coat closet the other in the bedroom in addition to the small one by the entry door. Hope I never have to use one but I do feel better having them.

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[richfaa]

Pick a date that you will remember . We use my birthday to check all the FE's is the S&B and RV.

[jeffba]

Originally Posted by richfaa

Pick a date that you will remember . We use my birthday to check all the FE's is the S&B and RV.

don't use DW's

[jeffba]

Originally Posted by sourdough

^^^x2. The tiny extinguishers that come in the RV aren't adequate to put out much more than a match IMO . Bought 2 larger ones (2.5lb. w/brackets) to go in the RV - on in the entry coat closet the other in the bedroom in addition to the small one by the entry door. Hope I never have to use one but I do feel better having them.

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with fire extinguishers bigger is better as long as you can handle them, but properly used you will be surprised how much even the small ones can put out they can put out

[sourdough]

Originally Posted by jeffba

with fire extinguishers bigger is better as long as you can handle them, but properly used you will be surprised how much even the small ones can put out they can put out

I agree completely. The problem in my mind came from a conversation with a professional guy that fills/repairs etc. fire extinguishers. If I recall, after visiting with him about the little one that comes in the RV, is that it will only provide something like a 2-3 second burst of chemical (from memory). I did look it up and whatever that number was was correct and not confidence inspiring. I had 5 pounders at our mountain house but they are too big for the RV.

[Last2Die]

Put the small one no the car. Installed 3 larger ones. One in the original location, one in the basement. And one in the bedroom. Can’t be too safe !!

Tony

[kowbra]

A fire inspector told me that fire extinguishers in vehicles can have the powder settle during the vibrations of driving. Beyond the normal annual inspection, he advised that you turn them upside down and gently shake them, and gently tap on the bottom and sides with a rubber hammer.

Brad

[DutchmenSport]

Fire extinguisher? What fire extinguisher? .... "Wait for it ... wait for it!"....

[DutchmenSport]

Originally Posted by kowbra

A fire inspector ...advised that you turn them upside down and gently shake them, and gently tap on the bottom and sides with a rubber hammer.

Brad

I watched a YouTube video recently on the care of fire extinguishers. The video didn't show "gently shake them and gently tap".... that video showed them taking a rubber mallet and beating the stuffings out of of the fire extinguisher!

I'm still waiting for it!.... .....

[Cobra13]

Have a 10lbr in the basement, the factory one, a 2.5 in the bedroom, and the truck

[DQDick]

Originally Posted by DutchmenSport

I watched a YouTube video recently on the care of fire extinguishers. The video didn't show "gently shake them and gently tap".... that video showed them taking a rubber mallet and beating the stuffings out of of the fire extinguisher!

I'm still waiting for it!.... .....

When I worked for Fish and Wildlife that was one of my jobs. Once a month, check the gage, weigh them and beat the crap out of them upside down with a rubber mallet. Then once a year change the tag.

[TAKPAK]

When I was chief engineer of a high rise, I had to take care of all the fire systems, including the extinguishers. Went to class to be trained on them. Basically, you should check them once a month (not possible with RV's in long distance storage) and as mentioned, once a year turn them upside down and tap/strike them (don't have to beat the crap out of them) with a rubber mallet on the bottom (kind of like burping the baby) to break loose the dry chemical in the bottom. You can actually feel it move/drop to the top when it lets go. I tip them back and forth a bit after that to make sure the stuff is well broken up again and ready for use. This of course does not apply if you spent the money and bought either a CO2 or Halon extinguisher, as those are gas and don't settle. Those are mostly used in places that would be sensitive to having a white powder all over everything, such as electronics or electrical systems. I kept the "little" extinguisher and added five pounders in the bedroom, kitchen and basement.

[jcurryii]

Was also advised by a fire department captain to tap bottom with a rubber mallet.
Had to use our original one didn’t discharge but about half the powder. He said to do this at least once a year.

[mlh]

This is something I need to do for the house and camper.
Sometimes you don’t know when you have saved someone’s life. This could be one of those times.
Thanks
Lynwood